Tie clamp



July 19,` 1938. 1 YAR-rz 2,124,502

TIE CLAMP Filed Oct. 19, 1937 ATTORNEYS Patented July 19, 1938 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in electric insulators and moreparticularly to tie clamps used in connection therewith.

Cne of the principal objects of my invention is to provide a tie clampadapted for connection to an insulator whereby electric cables may bequickly and effectively clamped thereto.

Another object of my invention is to provide a clamp of the abovedescribed character equipped with means whereby the clamping means yismaintained in a locked position.

A further object of my invention is to provide a clamp of the abovedescribed character capable of accommodating electric cables of varioussizes l5 whereby the same are effectively clamped thereto.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription, appended claims and annexed drawing.

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters designatelike parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my invention illustrating the same as beingsecured to an electric insulator.

`--5 Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail transverse sectional view of the cap illustrating thestationary clamping element.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a pair of shims employed in connection withthe clamping device. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the latch member. Inpracticing my invention I provide a cap member 5, preferably constructedof relatively stiff .sheet metal, formed on the lower circumferentiallyextending face with a plurality of upwardly extending slots 5 providinga compressible section "I, The top B of said cap is of a substantiallybulbous configuration and is segmented -O throughout the length thereofto form a cable receiving passageway 9 through said cap. Interiorly ofsaid cap and adjacent the compressible section there is secured ahorizontally extending deck l0, the lower face of which abuts the head II of an insulator I2 of typical construction.

One side of the passageway 9 is formed with a wall I3 of substantiallysemi-circular coni-lguration integral with the top 8 at the upper endand terminating at the lower end in apertured segmented hinge sectionsI4 as clearly illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawing, said wallconstituting a clamping element forming a part of a clamping device.Oppositely disposed from the wall I3 is a similar shaped wall I5 orclamping ele- 55 ment forming another part of the clamping de- Cil viceand said wall is fashioned at the lower end with hinge sections fittingthe segmented portions of the hinge section formed on the wall I3 and ispivotally connected thereto by a pintle I6.

Pivotally mounted on the deck I 0 is a toggle 5 mechanism comprisingtoggle arms I'I, I8 and I9, the lower end of the arm I I being pivotallyconnected to the deck and the upper end pivotally connected to ends ofthe arms I8 and I9. The opposite end of the arm I8 is pivotally con- 10nected to the wall I5 and the opposite end of the arm I9 is pivotallyconnected to an inner end of an actuating lever 20, said lever beingpivotally secured to the cap 5 as at 2|. Actuation of the lever 2Udownwardly towards the insulator, will l5 through the medium of thetoggle mechanism, position the clamping element I5 in clamping positionrelative to the clamping element I 3 as illustrated in full lines inFigure 2. Actuation of the lever 28 in an upward direction away from the20 insulator will, through the medium of the toggle mechanism, positionthe clamping element I5 in opened or unclamped position relative to theclamping element I3 as clearly illustrated in dotted lines in said gure.25

The cap 5 is secured about the head II of the insulator by means of aclamping band 22 having pivoted sections 23 embracing and compressingthe section I about the head and said sections 23 are secured togetherin clamped condition by 30 means of a suitable nut and bolt 24 asillustrated in Figure 1.

The lever 20 is maintained in clamped position by means of a latchmember 25 pivoted to the cap 5, thereby preventing accidentaldislodgment of the lever when the same is in clamped condition tomaintain an electric cable between the clamping elements.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that a length of electric cablepositioned between the clamping elements I3 and I5-when the parts are inopened position-may be effectively clamped therebetween by the actuationof the lever 20 to the locked or clamped position illustrated in fulllines in Figure 2 and that a reverse 45 movement of said lever willserve to release the clamping action of the clamping device and permitremoval of the cable.

In instances where it is desired to secure cables of a smaller diameterin the clamping device, I provide the walls I3 and I5 with bayonet slots26 for receiving headed pins secured to shims 2'I therethrough and whichmaintain said shims to said walls. Each of the shims are of a suicientthickness so that the cable may be eifectively clamped therebetween andare provided with cable receiving grooves 28 for embracing the cable.

It will be apparent that cables of various sizes may be effectivelyclamped between the clamping elements I3 and I5 and securely connectedto the insulator. Y

The outer ends of theY lever 20 and latch member 25 are adapted toreceive the hook-end of a stick, commonly known as a hot-stick, foroperating the same thereby eliminating the danger to linemen inconnecting and disconnecting the cable to the tie clamp.

What I claim is:

1. A tie clamp for insulators, comprising, a cap member having acompressible section adapted to t over the head of an insulator, aclamping band secured about said section a deck mounted within said capfor abutting engagement with the head of the insulator, a clampingelement connected to the top of said cap, a like clamping ele# mentpivoted to the rst mentioned element Yand adapted to coact with thelatter to clamp an electric cable therebetween, toggle mechanism'mounted on said deck and connected to said second mentioned clampingelement, and an operating lever pivotally connected to said cap and tosaid toggle mechanism and operable for moving said second mentionedclamping element into and out of clamping position.

2. A tie clamp for insulators, comprising, a cap member having acompressible section adapted to t over the head of an insulator, aclamping band secured about said section, a deck mounted within said capfor abutting engagement with the head of the insulator, a clampingelement connected to thetop of said cap, a like clamping element pivotedto the rst mentioned element and adapted to coact with the latter toclamp an electric cable therebetween, toggle mechanism mounted on saiddeck and connected to said second mentioned clamping element, anoperating lever pivotally connected to said cap and to said togglemechanism and operable for moving said second mentioned clamping elementinto and out of clamping position, and a latch carried b ysaidcap forlocking said lever in clamping position.

JOHN YARTZ.

